India triumphs over Bangladesh to claim the SAFF U17 Championship title.
Thimphu (Bhutan), October 1: India maintained its dominance in the SAFF U17 Championship by successfully defending its title, defeating Bangladesh 2-0 in the final of the 2024 edition held at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on September 30, 2024.
After a goalless first half, Mohammed Kaif scored with a well-placed header in the 58th minute to give India the lead. Md. Arbash sealed the victory with a powerful left-footed shot in the 95th minute.
The Indian team controlled the game from the start, but it proved challenging to find the net against a Bangladeshi side that adopted an extremely defensive strategy. The Blue Colts often encountered a wall of defenders whenever they ventured into the opposing half.
Set pieces became crucial, and they paid off for India. The first goal came from a corner kick in the 58th minute, where Mohammed Kaif’s precise header left Bangladesh's goalkeeper Nahidul Islam with little chance to respond.
Despite falling behind, Bangladesh responded positively, momentarily coming to life in the 67th minute when Indian goalkeeper Aheibam Suraj Singh had to intervene to avert a potential goal-scoring situation.
To the delight of the fans at the stadium, India was determined not to settle for a narrow lead and continued to attack, making the match more engaging.
India consistently pressed forward from all angles, opening up opportunities against the Bangladeshi defense. However, they struggled with finishing, as none of the Indian strikers could capitalize during crucial moments.
Md. Arbash was awarded the Player of the Tournament, while Aheibam Suraj Singh received the Goalkeeper of the Tournament honor.
India's persistence paid off in the 95th minute when the ball reached Arbash in the box. He quickly unleashed a left-footed shot that found the back of the net, ensuring the Blue Colts returned home with the winners' trophy.
The first half mirrored India’s earlier group stage match against Bangladesh, where Indian players relentlessly attacked, while their opponents remained heavily fortified in defense, opting for a counterattacking strategy. Bangladesh only threatened the Indian goal once in the first 45 minutes, but a breakaway was thwarted in time by goalkeeper Suraj Singh.